The 2025 All Girls Hockey Camp is underway in Estevan, and this year marks a milestone—what was once a one-week summer hockey camp has now doubled in size due to overwhelming demand.
The camp kicked off its first of two weeks on Monday, drawing girls from across the region for on-ice skill-building, off-ice training, and plenty of summer fun. Within 48 hours of announcing registration for the original camp week, it was completely sold out.
“We were very excited when we launched the original week, which is next week. We sold the camp out in 48 hours and then had quite a waiting list,” said Melissa Deitz, one of the camp organizers. “We worked with the City of Estevan, and we were very pleased to launch this additional week of camp.”
Among the highlights this year is the addition of Robin Ulrich to the coaching staff, along with the return of Colleen Sostorics, who’s delivering a special "gold medal talk." Estevan’s own Kim Mayuk and Trina Battersby of Prairie Pathways are also back to help lead sessions, creating what Deitz described as an “overall awesome experience.”
Another new addition this year is off-ice development at Athlete World, where campers take part in shooting drills and dryland training. “That is something new that we've added to the camp this year and we're really excited about that,” Deitz added.
Coach Megan LeBlanc, a familiar face at the camp, is thrilled to see the energy and camaraderie among the young athletes.
“It's awesome to be able to have the opportunity to do two weeks this year,” said LeBlanc. “I'm doing lots of on-ice coaching and we're also doing off-ice development at Athlete World with the shooting. It's awesome to see all the local girls and even girls from afar all come together.”
While skill-building is a major component of the camp, LeBlanc emphasized that having fun is just as important.
“Honestly, I just love having fun at summer camp and it's so nice getting all the girls together and seeing them kind of be goofy together and have a good time,” she said. “It's summertime, it’s a happy place.”
The camp also highlights Estevan’s community of strong female leaders and role models. LeBlanc noted how the effort is powered by local women, from the coaches to business owners who support the camp, including Encompass Fitness with Yoga and Lemon Wedge Marketing.
“They do a great job behind the scenes getting all of the scheduling and booking everything and making sure everything looks good,” LeBlanc said. “So many entrepreneurial women in the community come out, and it's a positive environment for the girls.”
That leadership is already inspiring the next generation. According to LeBlanc, many campers' express interest in coaching or staying involved in hockey long-term.
“Lots of them, if you ask what they want to be when they're older, will say things like that,” she said. “It’s nice to provide that role model to them.”
Looking around the rink, LeBlanc is proud of what the camp has become: “Everyone is so different and everyone just all comes together for the one or two weeks of summer, it’s the best week of the year, honestly.”
The second week of camp launches next week and promises to continue building on the momentum, friendships, and confidence that make the All-Girls Hockey Camp a standout event for young female athletes in Estevan.